Case with integrated accessory holder

ABSTRACT

A case for a portable electronic device holds an accessory of the portable electronic device, and the accessory can be easily accessed. The case comprises a container, an accessory band, and a fastener. The accessory band comprises a first fixed end and a first free end. The first fixed end is attached to the container. The fastener comprises a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion. The first fastener portion is attached to the first free end of the accessory band while the second fastener portion is attached to the container.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/822,538, filed Aug. 16, 2006, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The pervasive use of portable electronic devices, such as cellularphones, Blackberries®, and other devices, has created a need forprotective carrying cases for such devices. Several types of cases areused to carry and protect portable electronic devices. Typically, a cellphone case includes a clip so that users can attach their cell phones totheir belt or waistband of their pants.

Cell phones are available with a range of accessories that offeradditional convenience, for example a wired headset or a Bluetooth(wireless) headset. When not wearing their headset, many users typicallycarry it in their hands or in any available bag. Some of the availablecell phone cases have a pocket for storing a wired headset. Often, thewire gets entangled and the user needs to untangle it before using it.

Some cell phone cases include one or more prongs extending from the caseon which a user can wind the wire of the headset. These cell phone casesmay further include a tying strap that can be used to tie down thewinded wire. To use the headset, a user needs to untie the strap andunwind the wire. Some cell phones come with a stretchable pocket and auser needs to force the headset into the pocket when not in use, andpull out the headset when it is needed.

It is inconvenient to continuously carry a headset by hand for anysignificant amount of time. Another way of carrying a headset is on alanyard or necklace which hangs around a user's neck. However, this isnot very convenient, and it also may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Thus, there is a need for a case with integrated accessory holder.

SUMMARY

A portable electronic device case includes a container, an accessoryband, and a fastener. The container includes a front, a back, a bottom,a top, a right side, and a left side. The accessory band includes afirst fixed end, and a first free end. The first fixed end is attachedto the container. The fastener includes a first fastener portion and asecond fastener portion. The first fastener portion is attached to thefirst free end of the accessory band while the second fastener portionis attached to the container. The length of the accessory band isgreater than the distance between the first fixed end and the secondfastener portion. An accessory or a part of the accessory is placed onthe accessory band. The accessory band is then closed using the fastenerat the second fastener portion. When closed, an ear loop opening isformed. The accessory securely hangs from the case. The accessory bandcan be easily opened by releasing the fastener and the accessory can beaccessed when required. The portable electronic device case may alsoinclude a retainer band attached to the accessory band. The length ofthe retainer band is less than the length of the accessory band, and theretainer band is attached between the first fixed end and the first freeend. A part of the accessory is placed between the retainer band and theaccessory band. The accessory hangs securely on the case and is easilyaccessible. The portable electronic device may also comprise a closeabletop portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front perspective view of a portable electronicdevice case with an accessory band in an open position.

FIG. 1B illustrates another front perspective view of a portableelectronic device case with an accessory band in a fastened position.

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of a portable electronic device case.

FIG. 1D illustrates a rear view of a portable electronic device case.

FIG. 1E illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device case.

FIG. 1F illustrates a bottom view of a portable electronic device case.

FIG. 1G illustrates a rear perspective view of a portable electronicdevice case.

FIG. 1H illustrates a side view of a portable electronic device case.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a portable electronicdevice case holding an exemplary accessory.

FIG. 3A shows a front perspective view of a portable electronic devicecase with a retainer band and an accessory band in an open position.

FIG. 3B shows a front perspective view of a portable electronic devicecase with a retainer band holding an exemplary accessory and anaccessory band in an open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of another portableelectronic device case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows a portable electronic device case 100. The portableelectronic device case 100 comprises a container 102, an accessory band104 and a fastener 106. FIG. 2 shows the portable electronic device case100 holding an exemplary accessory of a portable electronic device, inthis example, a Bluetooth headset 202, in a manner that provides easyaccess to the Bluetooth headset 202 when needed. The Bluetooth headset202 hangs securely from the portable electronic device case 100 and canbe removed by releasing the fastener 106 and opening the accessory band104.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two different perspective views of theexemplary portable electronic device case 100. Henceforth, forsimplicity, portable electronic device case 100 is hereinafter referredto as case 100. The case 100 includes the container 102, the accessoryband 104, and the fastener 106 that includes a first fastener portion106 a and a second fastener portion 106 b.

FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H depict front view, back view, top view,bottom view, back perspective view, and side view respectively of theexemplary case 100. With reference to these figures, the container 102includes a front 108, a back 110, a bottom 112, a top 114, a right side116, and a left side 118.

The accessory band 104 includes a first fixed end 120 and a first freeend 122. The first fixed end 120 is attached to the container 102.

The first fastener portion 106 a is attached to the first free end 122of the accessory band 104, while the second fastener portion 106 b isattached to the container 102. The fastener 106 may be a magnetic snap,a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, or a zipper. The firstfastener portion 106 a connects to the second fastener portion 106 bthereby connecting the first free end 122 of the accessory band 104 tothe case 100. The accessory band 104 can be easily releaseably connectedto the case 100, that is, the accessory band 104 can be opened orclosed, by pulling or pushing on the fastener 106.

In an embodiment, the first fixed end 120 of the accessory band 104 isattached to the front 108 of the container 102. Further, the secondfastener portion 106 b is also attached to the front 108 of thecontainer 102. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe accessory band 104 could be connected in many other configurations.

The length of the accessory band 104 is greater than distance 124between the first fixed end 120 of the accessory band 104 and the secondfastener portion 106 b. Thus, the accessory band 104 forms an ear loopopening 126 between the first fixed end 120 and the second fastenerportion 106 b when closed. The ear loop opening 126 holds an accessoryof a portable electronic device as will be shown in the followingfigures. The accessory band 104 may be used to hold more than oneaccessory. In an embodiment, the container 102 may include more than oneaccessory band.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1E, 1G and 1H, the top 114 is an open topwith a closeable top portion 128. The closeable top portion 128 includesa second fixed end 130 and a second free end 132. The second fixed end130 is attached to the container 102, while the second free end 132comprises a length so that it extends over the open top 114. The case100 further includes a top fastener 134 that includes a first topfastener portion 134 a and a second top fastener portion 134 b. Thefirst top fastener portion 134 a is attached to the second free end 132of the closeable top portion 128, while the second top fastener portion134 b is attached to the container 102. The top fastener 134 may be amagnetic snap, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, or a zipper.

The case 100 further includes a clip 136 connected to the case 100, asshown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H. The clip 136 may be usedto clamp the case 100 onto, for example, a bag, a belt, a skirt, pants,a pocket, and the like. The clip 136 may be connected to the back 110 ofthe case 100. In an embodiment, the clip 136 may be a swivel clip thatcan rotate. Further, the clip 136 may also be removable.

The portable electronic device is held by placing it in the container102 through the open top 114 and closing the closeable top portion 128.The case 100 further holds an accessory using the accessory band 104 andthe fastener 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the case 100 holding anexemplary accessory 202 of the portable electronic device. The accessory202 or a part of the accessory 204 is placed on the accessory band 104.The accessory band 104 is closed by fastener 106. The accessory band 104can be easily opened by releasing the fastener 106. As mentioned above,one type of the fastener 106 that can be used is a quick releasemagnetic snap.

The accessory 202 securely hangs from the case 100, and can be easilyremoved by opening the accessory band 104. For example, the portableelectronic device may be a cell phone and its accessory may be theBluetooth headset 202 as shown in FIG. 2. The cell phone is held in thecontainer 102 by placing it in the open top 114 and closing thecloseable top portion 128. An ear loop 204 of the Bluetooth headset 202is placed through the accessory band 104. The first fastener portion 106a fastens the accessory band 104 at the second fastener portion 106 b.As mentioned, the length of the accessory band 104 is greater than thedistance 124 between the first fixed end 120 and the second fastenerportion 106 b, so that the accessory band 104 forms the ear loop opening126 when the fastener 106 is fastened at the second fastener portion 106b. The Bluetooth headset 202 securely hangs on the accessory band 104.The Bluetooth headset 202 can be easily removed by releasing thefastener 106 and can be accessed when required.

The case 100 may be made of many different materials, for example apliable material such as leather. Such pliable materials permit theaccessory band 104 to retain a curved shape even when it is released,thus further ensuring the formation of the ear loop opening 126. Othermaterials may also be used such as synthetic leathers and fabrics,plastics, cotton, neoprene, and the like. The sides of the case 100 mayalso include material that stretches such as an elastic strip 138. Inthis way, the case 100 may expand to accommodate cell phones and otherdevices of varying thicknesses. Also, the case 100 may be lined with anynumber of materials, such as cotton, fleece, and other fabrics, toprevent scratching the cell phone.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, another embodiment of the case 100 isshown. The case 100 includes a retainer band 302. FIG. 3A shows aperspective view of the case 100 with the retainer band 302 with theaccessory band 104 in an open position. FIG. 3B shows a perspective viewof the case 100 with the retainer band 302 holding an exemplaryaccessory, in this case the Bluetooth headset 202, and with theaccessory band 104 in an open position.

The retainer band 302 is attached to the accessory band 104 between thefirst fixed end 120 and the first fastener portion 106 a. The length ofthe retainer band 302 is less than the length of the accessory band 104.The retainer band 302 may be made of, for example, elastic. An accessoryor a part of an accessory is placed between the retainer band 302 andthe accessory band 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the ear loop 204 of theBluetooth headset 202 is placed between the retainer band 302 and theaccessory band 104. The fastener 106 is then fastened at the secondfastener portion 106 b. The Bluetooth headset 202 can be easily removedand accessed when required by releasing the fastener 106. The Bluetoothheadset 202 hangs securely from the case 100 even if the accessory band104 is not fastened at the second fastener portion 106 b. Further, auser may not necessarily use the retainer band 302. The user may placethe accessory through the ear loop opening 126 of the accessory band 104but over the retainer band 302. The closing of the accessory band 104using the fastener 106 ensures that the accessory hangs securely fromthe case 100. In another embodiment, the case 100 includes the retainerband 302 and may not necessarily include the fastener 106.

By now, it should be evident to those having ordinary skill in the artthat the case may have many different configurations while remainingwith the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a frontperspective view of a cell phone case 400. As shown in the FIG. 4, thecell phone case 400 includes all of the same components of the case 100as described above, but is dimensionally different to allow a cell phoneto be placed horizontally in the cell phone case 400.

Other modification may be made to the case 100. For example, the case100 may include decoration such as stitching, beads, charms, embroidery,buckles, rivets, dyes, and insignias. The portable electronic device maybe a digital music player such as an iPod or an mp3 player, a handheldelectronic organizer such as a Palm Pilot and the like. Further, thecase 100 in various embodiments of the invention may hold other headsetssuch as non-Bluetooth headsets and wired headsets. The case 100 may alsoinclude a pocket or storage pouch attached to or built into thecontainer 102. The pocket or pouch may be used for storing items. In oneembodiment, the case 100 includes a pouch where the wire of the wiredheadset is stored while the headset is held by the accessory band 104.

The foregoing description has set forth a few of the many forms thatthis invention can take. It is intended that the foregoing descriptionbe understood as an illustration of selected forms that the inventioncan take and not as a limitation to the definition of the invention. Itis only the following claims, including all equivalents that areintended to define the scope of this invention.

1. A portable electronic device case comprising: a container comprisinga front, a back, a bottom, a top, a right side and a left side; anaccessory band comprising a first fixed end and a first free end, thefirst fixed end attached to the container; and a fastener comprising afirst fastener portion and a second fastener portion, the first fastenerportion attached to the first free end of the accessory band and thesecond fastener portion attached to the container.
 2. The case accordingto claim 1 further comprising a retainer band attached to the accessoryband.
 3. The case according to claim 2 wherein the retainer band isattached between the first fixed end of the accessory band and the firstfastener portion, wherein the length of the retainer band is less thanthe length of the accessory band.
 4. The case according to claim 2wherein the retainer band comprises elastic.
 5. The case according toclaim 1 wherein the length of the accessory band is greater than adistance between the first fixed end and the second fastener portion. 6.The case according to claim 5 wherein the first fixed end of theaccessory band and the second fastener portion are attached to the frontof the container.
 7. The case according to claim 1 wherein the fastenercomprises one of a magnetic snap, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, abutton, and a zipper.
 8. The case according to claim 1 wherein the topis an open top.
 9. The case according to claim 8 further comprising acloseable top portion, the closable top portion comprising a secondfixed end and second free end, the second fixed end attached to thecontainer, wherein the closable top portion has a length such that thesecond free end extends over the open top.
 10. The case according toclaim 9 further comprising a top fastener comprising a first topfastener portion and a second top fastener portion, the first topfastener portion attached to the second free end of the closeable topportion and the second top fastener portion attached to the container.11. The case according to claim 10 wherein the top fastener comprisesone of a magnetic snap, a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a button, anda zipper.
 12. The case according to claim 1 further comprising a clipconnected to the container.
 13. The case according to claim 1 furthercomprising a pocket attached to the container.
 14. A portable electronicdevice case comprising: a container comprising a front, a back, abottom, a top, a right side, and a left side; an accessory bandcomprising a first fixed end and a first free end, the first fixed endattached to the container; and a retainer band attached to the accessoryband.
 15. The case according to claim 14 wherein the retainer band isattached between the first fixed end and the first free end, wherein thelength of the retainer band is less than the accessory band.
 16. Thecase according to claim 14 further comprising a fastener, the fastenercomprising a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, thefirst fastener portion attached to the first free end of the accessoryband and the second fastener portion attached to the container.
 17. Thecase according to claim 16 wherein the length of the accessory band isgreater than a distance between the first fixed end and the secondfastener portion.
 18. The case according to claim 17 wherein theaccessory band and the second fastener portion are attached to the frontof the container.
 19. The case according to claim 16 wherein thefastener comprises one of a magnetic snap, a snap, a hook and loopfastener, a button, and a zipper.
 20. The case according to claim 14wherein the retainer band comprises elastic.
 21. A case for a portableelectronic device, the case comprising: a container for holding theportable electronic device, the container comprising a front, a back, abottom, a top, a right side, and a left side; an accessory band forholding an accessory, wherein at least a part of the accessory is placedon the accessory band, wherein the accessory band comprises a firstfixed end and a first free end, wherein the first fixed end is attachedto the container; and a fastener comprising a first fastener portion anda second fastener portion, wherein the fastener releaseably connects theaccessory band at the second fastener portion, wherein the firstfastener portion is attached to the first free end of the accessory bandand the second fastener portion is attached to the container.
 22. Thecase according to claim 21 further comprising a retainer band attachedto the accessory band, wherein a part of the accessory is placed betweenthe retainer band and the accessory band.
 23. The case according toclaim 21 wherein the accessory band forms an ear loop opening whenfastened at the second fastener portion.
 24. The case according to claim21 wherein the accessory band removably holds a headset of the portableelectronic device.
 25. A cell phone case comprising: a containercomprising a front, a back, a bottom, an open top, a right side, and aleft side; an accessory band comprising a first fixed end and a firstfree end, the first fixed end attached to the container; a fastenercomprising a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, thefirst fastener portion attached to the first free end of the accessoryband and the second fastener portion attached to the container, whereinthe length of the accessory band is greater than the distance betweenthe first fixed end and the second fastener portion; a retainer bandattached to the accessory band between the first fixed end and the firstfree end; a closeable top portion comprising a second fixed end and asecond free end, the second fixed end attached to the container, whereinthe closable top portion has a length such that the second free endextends over the open top; a top fastener comprising a first topfastener portion and a second top fastener portion, the first topfastener portion attached to the second free end of the closeable topportion and the second top fastener portion attached to the container;and an ear loop opening formed between the container and the accessoryband when the first fastener portion is attached to the second fastenerportion.